Following a somewhat anti-climatic assassination, American super-agent Samuel L. Jackson (who plays NSA Agent Gibbons in the film "XXX") decides that it is time to recruit, train and apply the skills of America's most wanted "social-misfits."
Instead of sending a traditional array of super-spies dressed in tuxedos out to the zones of global danger, only to have the missions fail, Jackson's character reasons that a new generation of men are needed for international security.
Unsurprisingly, Xander Cage (played by Vin Diesel) proves to be the prodigal son for the NSA's new spy-recruitment program. However, prior to working for the government, we first meet Xander Cage as a militant, law-breaking, publicity-stunt-chasing daredevil. The movie attempts to portray Cage's real-life "Grand Theft Auto 3" of a Corvette simply as a young-person's version of Green Peace protest.
Standing up to protect the unrestricted freedoms associated with PlayStation 2, Skateboarding, and Nihilistic counter-culture are less compelling than the goals of typical eco-warriors.
In any event, Cage's exhibition of brawn, bravery and a penchant for criminal behavior wins the "Xander-zone" man a stint with the NSA. Triple X refers to the fact that Xander Cage has committed three criminal "strikes," making him a perfect test case for the new U.S. initiative.
Throughout Triple X's involvement in the ensuing spy-boot camp, a kind of sink-or-swim pedagogy, there are clearly moments of engaging entertainment.
Likewise, when our fearless "hero" finally journeys to Eastern Europe we are treated to a host of action sequences sprinkled with a bevy of spicy stunts.
Despite the film's escalation of provocative action sequences, the storyline is ubiquitously predictable. Moreover, the audience is left unchallenged by the real-world complexities of national security and counter-terrorism. This summer's "The Sum of All Fears" handles these questions in a more compelling and thought-provoking manner.
Nevertheless, if you are simply shopping for an adrenalin packed action film, "XXX" succeeds in trumping "The Bourne Identity."
In any event, despite a number of jabs that Vin Diesel's character makes toward "old school super-spies," the film does not succeed in impeaching (or displacing) the cultural importance of the Bond generation.
"XXX" is primarily an action film that barrows the meta-narrative of a super-spy theme to drive the plot, whereas Bond has traditionally achieved an authenticity of balanced strategic geopolitical intrigue with clever special effects action.
Since we no longer live in a Cold War bipolar morass of social, political, economic and military tension, the challenge to produce a spy film with clutching adventure and creative plot devices is difficult.
Yet, in an era of sincerely disturbing rogue nations, morally repulsive terrorists and increased economic instability, the need for authentic American heroes is even greater.
Indeed, an unmet challenge for Hollywood is to produce films that capture the power of myth in a way that Joseph Campbell in "A Hero with a Thousand Faces" described.
In a summer loaded with spy-inspired flicks, the ability to appoint one character as the valedictorian of spy-action for the year 2002 will undoubtedly be contentious.
For some, Vin Diesel's XXX character has the potential to not only climb over immediate competitors, but even possibly to K.O. the likes of the "Mission Impossible" juggernaught.
For those who adhere to this perspective: fine. However, my great expectations are placed on this fall's "Die Another Day" the upcoming Bond film.
